For the man in charge the ever-expanding National World War II Museum,President and CEO Nick Mueller, one would think it would be hard to surprise him on his work stomping grounds. But friends and family did just that on Saturday (July 19) when a "This is Your Life" surprise 75th birthday party was held for him at the museum. Senior staff, including Executive Vice President Stephen Watson, were the guiding organizational forces behind the party. University of New Orleans history professor Gunter Bischof played a lead role in the Festschrift, a tribute book, "Museum Man," that compiled celebratory writings by colleagues about Mueller. The book was created so it could be given to Mueller at the fête.

A diversion was created by having a cocktail party in the Louis Armstrong Dining Room, adjacent to the American Sector, where the museum's executive staff and Mueller family — wife, Beth Mueller; son, John Mueller; daughter-in-law and son, Emily and David Mueller (in from Charlotte, N.C.) — had gathered. During that time, surprise party guests arrived via the Andrew Higgins Drive entrance and filtered into the Stage Door Canteen for the main party. While Mueller thought he was going to dinner after cocktails, he was instead led into the canteen where more than 150 admirers awaited — and truly surprised Mueller. The ensuing evening was full of remembrances, revelry (the museum's Victory 6 Band and Victory Belles performed) and of course, a large birthday cake by Swiss Confectionery, decorated in the museum's red, white and blue logo.